Musa Na Allah Sokoto
The Sokoto State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has called Governor Ahmad Aliyu to extend the new minimum wage to its large membership.
In a statement, the Secretary of the Union in the state, Nasiru Sarkin Larabawa, appealed, highlighting the hardships pensioners face in meeting their families’ basic needs, including hospital bills, amid the ongoing economic challenges and rising food prices.
Larabawa stressed that pensioners, who had served the state for up to 35 years, were in dire need of this support.
Parts of the statement read;
“Sir, you have been kind and generous since you assumed leadership of the state, offering assistance to all categories of civil servants, including pensioners.
“We were hopeful and confident that the recent salary increases for workers would also benefit pensioners, who are living from hand to mouth.
“The current payment method for gratuities to retired civil servants in the state is highly commendable. If this trend continues, all payments will be completed within the shortest possible time.”
Larabawa expressed gratitude for the Governor’s efforts in developing Sokoto State and ensuring timely pension payments and gratuity allocations, acknowledging the positive changes implemented since his leadership began.
However, he urged that further attention be given to pensioners’ welfare, emphasizing the necessity of extending the recent minimum wage adjustments to include them.
The union secretary highlighted that, with many pensioners struggling to survive on limited incomes, any support from the government would significantly ease their challenges.
He further noted that pensioners’ contributions to the state should not be forgotten and that ensuring they are not left behind in the economic recovery efforts would reflect well on the state’s leadership.
Larabawa reaffirmed the union’s confidence in the governor’s commitment to the well-being of all Sokoto citizens, urging him to consider their request as a matter of urgency for the sake of pensioners’ welfare.
